Religion and Politics from a Young Christian in Northern Virginia

September 11: A Contrast in Leadership Between Two Presidents

September 12th, 2012

While some criticized President Bush for how he handled the September 11 tragedy as it was unfolding. His immediate sense of the horror of the situation, and the necessity of a strong American response was clear from the start. In his first public statement as the situation was still unfolding, he made it clear that “the full resources of the federal government” would be used to “conduct a full scale investigation and to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.” His handling of the situation made it clear to any terrorist that “Terrorism against the United States will not stand.”

Now eleven years later we awake to find that the American ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other embassy staff were killed in an attack on the eleventh anniversary of September 11. This was a courageous man who died trying to evacuate staff from an endangered consulate. He died showing the kind of heroism that moved our hearts during the tragedy of that dark day. These men were killed by violent muslims who were protesting with gun shots and rocket-propelled grenades the fact that someone made a movie which the believed ridiculed the Prophet Muhammad.

Instead of any form of outrage, or commitment to making sure justice happened, President Obama issued one of his regular meaningless “strong condemnations. While he say he directed an increase of embassy security, he has yet to direct any response to the attacks. He also has the gall to remind us that the “United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others.” While we should not condemn every Muslim, those who perpetrate horrible acts of violence in the name of a religion must be condemned for what they do in the name of that religion.

Mr. President we are outraged. An ambassador has died serving this nation, something which has always been interpreted as an act of war, and no justice will be sought? Do you want this man to die in vain? If not, when willl you do more than talk? We have seen how effective strong condemnations have been against Iran and their militaristic nuclear ambitions, or against Palestine in stopping their attacks on Israel. Muslims laugh at your “strong condemnations” because they are meaningless and display America’s weakness. Teddy Roosevelt believed in a foreign policy where leaders “Walk softly, but carry a big stick.” You in stead walk loudly, yet promise the world we will not use our sticks.

In condemning your response, Mitt Romney showed that he understands foreign policy better than your four years in office have taught you. We should be outraged by such a senseless attack. You should be shocked by your own weakness and refusal to respond.

While President Bush committed many mistakes, his great strength was the resolute and decisive way with which he dealt with terrorism. While he was in office, terrorists new the president was their enemy. With President Obama and his meaningless “strong condemnations” the world knows we will not stand up to terror. This is the contrast in leadership which the 11th anniversary of September 11 has shown us.